30 Days of Gamemastering: Part Thirty

This is the final post of the continuing series, “30 Days of Gamemastering Challenge”, from Triple Crit.

How do we grow the hobby?

We live in an exciting time for this hobby. I remember the “bad old days” when roleplaying games in general (and Dungeons & Dragons in specific) were thought to be weird, satanic, and even dangerous. Nowadays, it’s featured on major sitcoms and is a common pop culture reference point. The geeks have inherited the earth and life is pretty good.

But we can do better.

That’s part of what this website is all about. Getting to know gamemasters as people. Revealing, and reveling in, the fact that gamemasters are as varied and a diverse a group as any cadre of humans. We are men, women, young, old, straight, gay, pale, dark, and all shades in-between.

I really think that the best way to grow this hobby is to be as diverse a hobby as possible. Roleplaying games are the ultimate big-tent hobby. We have to make it accessible to as many people as we can. In this way, not only does the hobby grow in numbers, but in content and quality. The more voices are heard, the better.

We have to make our FLGSs* friendly to all kinds of customers, not just the “traditional” gaming geek. We have to make our conventions and events accessible to everyone who could possibly want to sling dice. We have to create gaming spaces that are safe and comfortable for all kinds of gamers.

Truly, the best way to grow the hobby is to make the hobby grow up.

This is the final posting in the 30 Days of Gamemastering series. It has been a blast posting so much useful (I hope) content about our hobby. If you have any comments, please share them below. Also, if you haven’t yet, click on the How to Participate button up top to find out how you can participate in the Master of the Game Project.

Thanks!

*Friendly Local Game Store